Our local MPs were defeated after voting against the Government's planned cuts for winter fuel allowance yesterday.
Rutland and Stamford’s MP was among those who asked for the vote. Alicia Kearns says the decision will affect thousands of pensioners locally and that Labour has shown a lack of respect to the older and vulnerable.
‘This decision affects millions of people who bought into our country's social contract. You work hard, you pay your taxes and when you grow old, we will support you through your retirement. I mean, two requests for the Labour government today, although I know they'll both be rejected. First implementation. Give them time. Older people, some of most financially cautious in our society, they save, they go without, they avoid. Yet they give what they can to their children, their grandchildren, friends in need. A delay of a year would give people the time to claim pension credit if eligible and face the upcoming increase in energy bills and plan for the next winter. Secondly, I'd ask the government to give an exemption to anyone suffering from a chronic or life shortening illness. Since this cut was announced I’ve heard from so many like Di who e-mailed me out of concern, not for herself, but her husband Jeff who suffers from cancer and has to wear three layers of clothes all year round even in summer. As Di put it the decision, and it is a decision by the Prime Minister, is penalising the ill. Her hubby will suffer and she is shattered’.
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